Digital timepiece

ABSTRACT

A TIMEKEEPER WITH DIGITAL RECORDING OR TIME INDICATION IN WHICH &#34;JUMPING&#34; TIME INDICATION IS CARRIED OUT AS TO HOURS, TENS-OF-MINUTES, AND MINUTES BY COMPACT AND SIMPLIFIED MECHANISM COMPRISING TWO COMPLETE BARRELS WITH ARBORS EACH DRIVING A RESPECTIVE GOING GEAR TRAIN WITH RESPECTIVE ESCAPEMENTS AND THE ESCAPEMENT OF ONE OF THE GEAR TRAINS BEING UNDER CONTROL OF THE OTHER GEAR TRAIN. COMMON WINDING AND TIME SETTING MECHANISM WINDS THE MAINSPRINGS OF BOTH BARRELS WITH ARBORS. THE INDICATING   IS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF THE ESCAPEMENTS AND HAS &#34;JUMPING&#34; DISKS FOR INDICATING TIME IN HOURS, TENS-OFMINUTES, AND MINUTES VISUALLY.

7 TAoAHuo KIKUCHIY 3,559,395-

DIGITAL TIME'PIECE Filed Dec. 19, 1967 'vvsheets-s neet 2 Feb. 2, 1911 Filed Dec. 19, 1967 TADAHIRO KIKUCHI DIGITAL TIMEPIECE f 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 First complete I barrel with arbor Second escapment Second complete barrel with arbor Second gear train First escopment Controller I I I First gear train --I- I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I Indicating mechanism Hour Tens of minutes Minute I Time adjusting Mainspring winding Winding and setting mechanism I Crown 1 Q 1 TADAHIRO KIKUCHI 3,559,395

DIGITAL TIMEPIECE Filed Dec, 19, 1967 Sheets-Sheet '6 Feb. 2, 1971 TADIAHIRO KIKUCHII v 3,559,395

DIGITAL TIMEPIECE Filed Dec. 19, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 United States Patent 3,559,395 DIGITAL TIMEPIECE Tadahiro Kikuchi, Tokyo, Japan, assignor to Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha, Tokyo, Japan Filed Dec. 19, 1967, Ser. No. 691,800 Claims priority, application Japan, Dec. 21, 1966, 41/ 83,436; Jan. 18, 1967, 42/3,102; Mar. 22, 1967, 42/23,382; Mar. 29, 1967, 42/ 25,496

Int. Cl. G04b /00 US. Cl. 58-7 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A timekeeper with digital recording or time indication in which jumping time indication is carried out as to hours, tens-of-minutes, and minutes by compact and simplified mechanism comprising two complete barrels with arbors each driving a respective going gear train with respective escapements and the escapement of one of the gear trains being under control of the other gear train. Common winding and time setting mechanism winds the mainsprings of both barrels with arbors. The indicating is operatively associated with one of the escapements and has jumping disks for indicating time in hours, tens-0fminutes, and minutes visually.

This invention relates generally to time keepers and more particularly to digital timepieces.

Digital timepieces are known in which the hours indication jumps or is changed hourly, however, the minute indication is continuously changed without jumping.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a simple structure in which there is a minimum loss of energy and in which digital indicating mechanism is intermittently changed instantaneously to constantly visually indicate the correct time digitally.

The time indicating mechanism of the timepieces according to the invention comprises jumping discs that indicate hours, tens-of-minutes and controlled by one going gear train, which is controlled by its own escapement, and controlling another going gear train. The going gear trains are driven by two separate barrels that have individual mainsprings wound by common winding and setting mechanism.

Other features and advantages of the digital timepiece in accordance with the present invention will be better understood as described in the following specification and appended claims in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1, is a plan view of a timekeeper provided with mechanism according to the present invention;

FIG. 2, is a plan view of drive, control and escapement mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 to 6, are fragmentary plan views on an enlarged scale of parts of the mechanism in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7, is a fragmentary sectional side elevation view of mechanism in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8, is a plan view of mechanism for changing digital recording in the timekeeper of FIG. 1 according to the invention;

FIG. 9, is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a detail of mechanism in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10, is a block diagram illustrating the overall relationship of mechanisms in a digital timekeeper according to the invention;

FIGS. 11 to 13, are fragmentary plan views of mechanisms of a second embodiment according to the invention;

3,559,395 Patented Feb. 2., 1971 FIG. 14, is a perspective view of a pallet fork in the second embodiment according to the invention;

FIG. 15, is a fragmentary plan View of mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16, is a perspective view of a third pallet fork used in the third embodiment of FIG. 15.

In the drawing a timekeeper provided with digital recording or indication is illustrated in FIG. 1. In the timepiece the time indicated is fifty-nine minutes past twelve. The timepiece illustrated is provided with an opening or window 1 through which digits may be seen for reading off thereof the time. Time indicating means are provided for indicating time and the changes thereof, and comprises a minute disk 2 having on a marginal portion there of digits or numerals from zero to nine. A tens of minutes disk 3 is provided with numerals or digits from zero to five and an hour disk 4 concentric with the tens of minutes disk 3 has thereon twelve digits from one to twelve. The time indicating means are driven and the time indications changed by drive mechanism and rate controlling or escapement mechanisms as hereinafter described.

FIG. 2 is a plan diagram of drive mechanism for driving the minute disk 2. A first complete barrel with an arbor 5 drives through a first gear train composed of a center gear and pinion 6, a third gear and pinion 7 and a fourth gear and pinion 8, a first escapement composed of an escape wheel and pinion 9 and a jewelled pallet fork and staff 10 and a balance or controller 11. The fourth gear and pinion 8, is regulated to turn by the balance 11, is moreover provided with a driving device for a second jewelled pallet fork and staff 12 as shown in FIG. 9 and later described. The first escapement, that is, the escape gear and pinion 9 and the jewelled pallet fork and staff 10 apply energy from the first train gear to the balance 11, which controls turning or rate of the first gear train at the same time. Accordingly the escapement of the watch according to the invention has the same function as the usual watches. A second complete barrel with an arbor 13 drives the second gear train composed of the twelfth gear and pinion 14 and a thirteenth gear and pinion 15 constructed like a modified rachet wheel. The rotation of the thirteenth gear and pinion 15 is controlled by the second jewelled pallet fork and staff 12 driven by the fourth gear and pinion 8, in which the energy rotates a minute gear 16 on the same arbor or shaft as the minute disk 12.

In the timepiece illustrated the two complete going barrels and arbors 5, 13 have the rnainsprings thereof, not shown, wound at the same time by rotating the winding stem of the watch in one direction through mechanism shown only in block form in FIG. 10'. Winding torque is transmitted to the following elements not shown, a winding stern, a clutch, a winding pinion driven from the clutch, a first crown pinion driving a first crown gear and a second crown wheel or gear driven from the first crown gear or wheel. The second crown wheel or gear turns the second ratchet wheel or gear and winds the mainspring of the second complete barrel with arbor 13 and at the same time turns the first ratchet or gear through a third crown wheel, likewise not shown, and winds a mainspring of the first complete barrel with arbor 5.

The gear ratio of the gear trains is such that the first ratchet gear turns more times than the second ratchet gear. The mainspring of the first complete barrel with arbor 5 is provided with a slippage arrangement, not shown, used in ordinary automatic watches. Consequently, the winding stem can turn until the mainspring of the second complete barrel with arbor 13 is completely wound. Since the gear train for winding is a reduction gear train the torque applied to the winding stem is small.

An escapement mechanism connects the first wheel going or gear train with the second going gear train as later described. The fourth gear and pinion 8 is provided with a fixed plate 17 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, which is provided with a notch 17a and a pin 17b. A freely movable plate 18 is mounted on the axis of the fourth gear and pinion and moves freely within the bounds limited by the pin 17b. The free plate 18 is provided with a high part 18a at the center. A plate 19 fixed on the axis of the fourth gear and pinion 8 supports the free plate 18 as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 3 the second jewelled pallet fork and staff 12 is provided with an entrance pallet 20 and an exit pallet 21 for controlling the rotation of the thirteenth gear and pinion 15. The other end of the second jewelled pallet fork and staff is provided with a projecting part 12a and a pin 12b. In this embodiment the rubies are used as the entrance pallet 20, the exit pallet 21 and the pin 12b in order to reduce friction.

The operation of the second escapement mechanism, composed of the second jewelled pallet fork and staff 12, the thirteenth gear and pinion 15, the fixed plate 17 and the free plate 18, will now be described. FIG. 3 illustrates the second jewelled pallet fork and staff 12 about to turn and of which the entrance pallet is imparted a moment in a clockwise direction as shown by an arrow 1, by a tooth 15a of the thirteenth gear and pinion 15 to which the energy of the second complete barrel with arbor 13 shown in FIG. 2 is transmitted through the twelfth gear and pinion 14, and of which pin 12b is about to engage in the notch 17a of the fixed plate 17.

FIG. 4 shows that the fourth gear and pinion 8 has turned further in the direction of the arrow from the position of FIG. 3, and the pin 12b of the second jewelled pallet fork and staff has entered into the notch 17a. The thirteenth wheel and pinion 15 turns until its tooth 15a strikes against the exit pallet 21. As the exit pallet is pushed in the direction of an arrow (i) by the tooth, the pin 12b of the second jewelled pallet fork and staff 12 turns to disengage from the notch part 17a. Then the pro jecting part 12a of the second jewelled pallet fork and staff 12 pushes against a side of the raised part 18a and turns the free plate 18 to block up the notch part 17a of the fixed plate 17. (See FIG. 5.)

In FIG. 5 it can be seen the entrance pallet 20 is pushed by a tooth 15b and the second jewelled pallet fork and staff 12 turns a direction in which the pin 12b falls to the notch part 17a of the fixed plate 17, but as the notch part 17a is already blocked up by the free plate 18, the rotation of the second jewelled pallet fork and staff is hindered. Accordingly, the rotation of the thirteenth gear and pinion 15 is checked in a situation in which the tooth 15b touches the entrance pallet 20. (See FIG. 6.) The operation illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 are instantaneously accomplished and the thirteenth gear and pinion 15 moves a distance of one tooth.

In the operation shown from FIGS. 3 to 6 as the fourth gear and pinion 8 always turns in the direction of the arrow, the fixed plate 17 continues to turn and the pin 17b contacts a side of the free plate 18 and turns it until the notch part 17a is in the position shown in FIG. 3. Then the second jewelled pallet fork and staff 12 and the thirteenth gear and pinion 15 do not move and remain as shown in FIG. 6. As the fourth gear and pinion 8 turns once every minute, in this example, the operation is repeated every minute, and one tooth of the thirteenth gear and pinion 15 is advanced every minute. The thirteenth gear and pinion 15 drives the minute gear 16 fixed on the axis of the minute disk 2.

Accordingly, as the minute gear 16 is advanced one tooth, the indicating time in the viewing opening changes instantaneously every minute. When the arrangement changes from the position in FIG. 3 to that of FIG. 4, the thirteenth gear and pinion 15 is advanced one tooth and advances one tooth of the minute gear 16. Even if the turning force applied to the minute gear 16 is too strong, the minute gear 16 is not advanced more than one tooth, as another tooth of the minute gear hits on the back of the tooth 150 of the thirteenth gear and pinion 15.

The operation of the tens-of-minutes disk 3, according to FIG. 8, will now be explained. A plate 22 for taking a figure up one place is provided between numerals 0 and 9 under the minute disk 2 fixed on teeth of the minute gear 16 and drives the tens-of-minutes disk 3. Accordingly, when a numeral of the minute gear 16 changes from 9 to 0, the plate 22 for taking a figure up one plate advances one tooth 23a of a tens-of-minutes gear 23. In this way, the tens-of-minutes gear 23 is advanced one tooth every tenth minute, the numeral of the tens-of-minutes disk 3 represented in the viewing opening 1 in FIG. 1 changes every tenth minute instantaneously. Since the plate for taking a figure up one place is located between the teeth of the tens-of-minutes wheel 23, it prevents the tens-ofminutes wheel from advancing more than one tooth.

The operation for turning the hour disk 4 is next described. A plate 24 for taking a figure up one place is fixed inside of the tens-of-minutes wheel 23 and an hour gear or wheel 26, fixed on the axis of the hour disk 4 is advanced one tooth every tenth minute through a gear 25 for taking a figure up one place by the plate for taking a figure up one place, so that the numeral of the hour disk seen in the viewing opening or window 1 changes every hour instantaneously. Thus the position of the minute disk 2, the tens-of-minutes disk 3 and the hour disk 4 is accomplished by a jumping movement.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram which shows the relation of the mechanisms of the digital watch according to the invention. As shown in this drawing, each mainspring, not shown, of each of the two complete barrel with arbor elements is wound by one stem and the first complete barrel with arbor drives the first gear train, the first escapement and the controller. The rotation of the thirteenth gear and pinion in the second gear train driven by the second complete barrel with arbor is controlled by the fourth gear and pinion in the first gear train and the second escapement is controlled by the controller, and the minute gear is driven by the thirteenth gear and pinion and the tens-of-minutes gear and hour gear are orderly driven and the time is indicated.

The operation of a second and third embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16. In the description of these other emboditments similar terminology is applied to the elements as in the description of the first embodiment. Referring first to FIG. 11, the energy of the second complete barrel with arbor is always transmitted to a thirteenth wheel or gear 102 through a twelfth gear pinion 14 as in FIG. 2. The drawing shows a situation, in which a pin 102a on the gear 102 touches an arm 103e of a second pallet fork 103 and checks turning of a thirteenth wheel 102. A fourth gear and pinion 101 always turns in the direction of an arrow 102g under the action of the first complete barrel with arbor. An eccentric disk 107, which turns with the fourth gear and pinion 101, moves the second pallet fork 103 and turns the arm 103a in the direction of an arrow 10011 and releases the pin 102a. FIG. 12 illustrates the situation in which the second pallet fork 103 moved by the eccentric disk 107 is about to release the pin 102a after turning further.

FIG. 13 illustrates a situation just after releasing of the pin 102a. As the thirteenth gear 102 always has torque applied thereto, a pin 102b thereon turns to strike against the arm 103 as soon as the pin 102a is released and a tooth 1021' of the thirteenth gear 102 drives a tooth 104i of a gear 104 fixed on the axis of the minute wheel.

As shown in FIG. 13 when the pin 10212 is in touch with an arm 103 the fourth gear 101 and the eccentric disk 107 turn and rotate the arm 103 in the direction of the arrow k to release the pin 102b, turn the thirteenth gear 102 and drive the minute gear 104. The fourth gear and pinion 101, makes one rotation every second minute, the thirteenth gear 102 turns by two teeth, so the minute gear 104 is advanced one tooth every minute and the minute indication of the indicating mechanism is instantaneously changed every minute.

A third embodiment of the escapement mechanism is shown in 'FIG. in which a second pallet fork 203 is provided with two pins 202a and in contact with the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16 the thirteenth gear is provided with a thick tooth every second tooth, on which the pins 202a and 20% strike.

The digital watch according to the invention can indicate hour and minute. in complete digital mode and change the numerals or digits instantaneously, so it is very easy to read time and there is no danger of misreading the time indicated. Moreover, since the structure is highly simplified and the loss of energy is less than in other timepieces this mechanism has effects that it is applicable not only to clocks but also to watches, particularly in watches, tens-of-minutes and hour disk can be arranged on the same axis, and the viewing opening can be fitted at the center of the watch.

What I claim and desire to be secured by Letters Patent 1. In a digital time piece, the combination of a first gear train comprising a plurality of intermeshing gears and pinions including an escape gear, spring means continuously applying torque to drive said first gear train, a first escapement controlling said first gear train comprising said escape gear, a balance wheel and a first pallet fork and staff having pallets engageable by said escape gear to apply energy to said balance wheel and to effect step-by-step movement of said escape gear under control of said balance wheel; a second gear train comprising a plurality of intermeshing gears and pinions including a second escape gear, spring means for continuously applying torque to drive said second train, a second escapement comprising said second escape gear and a second pallet fork pivotally mounted, means rotating with one gear of said first gear train for rocking said second pallet fork to effect step-by-step movement of said second escape gear, and digital indicating means rotatable by said second escape gear to provide a digital reading of time, said second pallet fork comprising a first fork portion engageable with an controlling step-by-step rotation of said second escape gear and a second fork portion cooperating with said rocking means to rock said second pallet fork, said second fork portion having an arm carrying a pin, and said rocking means comprising a disc rotating with said one gear and having a notch into which said pin drops to effect rocking of said second pallet fork.

2. A digital timepiece according to claim 1, in which movable means is provided for alternately blocking and unblocking said notch in said disc.

3. A digital timepiece according to claim 2, in which said blocking and unblocking means comprises a plate rotatably mounted coaxially with said disc.

4. A digital timepiece according to claim 3, in which a second arm of said second fork portion of said second pallet fork is engageable with said plate to turn it in a direction to block said notch and a pin on said disc is engageable with said plate to turn it to an unblocking position.

5. In a digital time piece, the combination of a first gear train comprising a plurality of intermeshing gears and pinions including a first escape gear, spring means continuously applying torque to drive said first gear train, a first escapement controlling said first gear train comprising said first escape gear, a balance wheel and a first pallet fork and staff having pallets engageable by said first escape gear to apply energy to said balance wheel and to effect step-by-step movement of said first escape gear under control of said balance wheel; a second gear train comprising a plurality of intermeshing gears and pinions including a second escape gear having a plurality of widely spaced teeth, spring means continuously applying torque to drive said second gear train, a second escapement comprising said second escape gear, a second pallet fork pivotally mounted, means rotating with one gear of said first gear train for rocking said second pallet fork about its pivot once each minute and means on said second pallet fork engageable with said second escape gear for restraining rotation of said second escape gear and for releasing said second escape gear once each minute to permit movement of said second escape gear one full tooth in a single movement, and indicating means comprising a ten tooth gear rotatably mounted in position to mesh with and be driven by said second escape gear by engagement of a tooth of said second escape gear with a tooth of said ten tooth gear to advance said ten tooth gear one tooth each time said second escape gear is moved one full tooth, and a minute unit indicatin disc rotating with said ten-tooth gear and thereby advanced one tenth revolution each time said second escape gear is released by said second pallet fork.

6. A digital time piece according to claim 5, in which said spring means comprises a first complete spring barrel driving said first gear train, a second complete spring barrel driving said second gear train, a single winding stem, gear means connecting said winding stem with both of said spring barrels for winding the same and means providing slippage to prevent overwinding of one of said spring barrels.

7. A digital timepiece according to claim 5, in which said indicating means comprises a second indicating disc, a gear rotatable with said second disc and a single tooth gear rotating with said first indicating disc and engageable with teeth of said gear rotatable with said second disc to rotate said second disc one step each time said first disc turns one revolution.

8. A digital timepiece according to claim 5, in which said second pallet fork comprises a first fork portion en gageable with and controlling step-by-step rotation of said second escape gear and a second fork portion cooperating with said rocking means to rock said second pallet fork.

9. A digital timepiece according to claim 8, in which said rocking means comprises an eccentric rotatable with said one gear and engageable in said second fork portion to rock said second pallet fork.

10. A digital timepiece according to claim 9, in which circumferentially spaced pins are provided on said second escape gear and pinion and in which said first fork portion of said second pallet fork is engageable with said pins to control rotation of said second escape gear and pinion.

11. A digital timepiece according to claim 9, in which said first fork portion of said second pallet fork comprises spaced pins engageable with teeth of said second escape gear and pinion.

12. A digital timepiece according to claim 11, in which spaced teeth of said second escape gear and pinion are thickened and in which said pins of said second pallet fork are engageable only with said thickened teeth.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 309,306 12/ 1884 Lindauer 587 2,340,769 2/1944 Rast 58-7 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner L. R. FRANKLIN, Assistant Examiner 

